Process cartridge for image forming apparatus

ABSTRACT

A process cartridge for an image forming apparatus includes a cleaning unit for removing waste toner remaining on a surface of a photosensitive drum, and a cleaning frame for storing the waste toner removed by the cleaning unit. The cleaning unit includes a bent portion adapted to bend in a direction opposite to the photosensitive drum and be disposed at a site other than that in which the waste toner is accumulated. The cleaning unit further includes a cleaning blade for contacting with the surface of the photosensitive drum to remove the waste toner remaining thereon in response to rotation of the photosensitive drum, and a cleaning support member for supporting the cleaning blade.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(a) of KoreanPatent Application No. 2005-74978, filed on Aug. 16, 2005 in the KoreanIntellectual Property Office, the entire disclosure of which isincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the invention

Aspects of the present invention relate to an electrophotographic imageforming apparatus. More particularly, Aspects of the present inventionrelate to a process cartridge for an image forming apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

An electrophotographic image forming apparatus uses a process cartridge.The process cartridge includes an electrophotographic photosensitivedrum and related processing mechanisms and is adapted to be detachablymountable as a unit in a main body of the electrophotographic imageforming apparatus. The process cartridge is an easily replaceablecartridge that packages components having substantially the same servicelife such as various rollers constituting the photosensitive drum and adeveloping unit and a predetermined amount of toner.

The process cartridge B and electrophotographic image forming apparatus100 using the cartridge B are illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 3. FIG. 1 showsthe configuration of a conventional image forming apparatus 100. FIG. 2is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a processcartridge B of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the internalconfiguration of the process cartridge B. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3, theprocess cartridge B is detachably mounted in a main body A of the imageforming apparatus 100. In the image forming apparatus 100, aphotosensitive drum 111 is charged by a charge roller 112, and anelectrostatic latent image is formed on the surface of thephotosensitive drum 111 by a laser beam L from a laser scanning unit130. The electrostatic latent image is developed into a desired visibleimage with toner transported from a toner chamber 118 by a supplyingroller 115 in response to rotation of the photosensitive drum 111. Thedeveloped visible image is transferred to a sheet of recording paper Ppassing between the photosensitive drum 111 and a transferring roller140.

In a cartridge frame 110 of the process cartridge B, the toner chamber118 is provided at one side of the photosensitive drum 111, and a wastetoner chamber 123 is provided at the other side of the photosensitivedrum 111. Around the toner chamber 118, a developing roller 114, thesupplying roller 115, a doctor blade 116 and an agitator 117 areinstalled in sequence and are supported by a main frame 119. Around thewaste toner chamber 123, the charge roller 112, a cleaning blade 121 andthe like are installed in sequence and are supported by a cleaning frame124. The cleaning blade 121 is attached to a cleaning support member122. However, in the process cartridge B, because a bent portion 122 aof the cleaning support member 122 is bent towards the photosensitivedrum 111, a beam inlet 131 for the laser beam L from the laser scanningunit 130 is too narrow. In particular, as shown in FIG. 3, in the imageforming apparatus provided with a cleaning roller 113 and the chargeroller 112, the end of the bent portion 122 a may contact with thecharge roller 112 or the cleaning roller 113. Consequently, to allocatea sufficient space for the beam inlet 131 of the laser scanning unit130, the size of the developing roller 114 must be increased,complicating a space allocation problem in the process cartridge B. Tosolve this space allocation problem, an image forming apparatus adoptingan enhanced process cartridge B′ has been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.6,836,639.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the internal configuration of theprocess cartridge B′ disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,836,639, and FIG. 5 isan enlarged view showing a cleaning frame 124 of FIG. 4. Referring toFIGS. 4 and 5, in the process cartridge B′, a waste toner chamber 123includes a first cleaning frame 124 a and a second cleaning frame 124 bon the first cleaning frame 124 a, and the first cleaning frame 124 aand second cleaning frame 124 b are interconnected by a reinforcementmember 125 to prevent deformation of the cleaning frame 124. A bentportion 122 a of a cleaning support member 122 supporting a cleaningblade 121 is bent away from the photosensitive drum 111 towards thecleaning frame 124 (to the left in FIG. 4). In the process cartridge B′having this structure, the overall strength of the cleaning frame 124 isenhanced, and a waste toner space for containing waste toner T isexpanded because the reinforcement member 125 is disposed above the bentportion 122 a. However, in the process cartridge B′, the second cleaningframe 124 b is separately installed on the first cleaning frame 124 a,and the first cleaning frame 124 a and the second cleaning frame 124 bare welded together, then interconnected by the reinforcement member125. Even though the reinforcement member 125 is disposed above the bentportion 122 a of the cleaning support member 122, the bent portion 122 aand the reinforcement member 125 themselves take up some part of thewaste toner space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to an aspect of the invention, a process cartridge comprises:a cleaning unit for removing waste toner remaining on a surface of aphotosensitive drum; and a cleaning frame for storing the waste tonerremoved by the cleaning unit, wherein the cleaning unit comprises a bentportion adapted to bend in a direction opposite to the photosensitivedrum and be disposed at a site other than that in which the waste toneris accumulated.

According to an aspect of the invention, the cleaning unit comprises acleaning blade for contacting with the surface of the photosensitivedrum to remove the waste toner remaining thereon in response to rotationof the photosensitive drum, and a cleaning support member for supportingthe cleaning blade.

According to an aspect of the invention, the bent portion is formed atan upper end of the cleaning support member.

According to an aspect of the invention, the bent portion is disposedabove the site in which the waste toner is accumulated.

According to an aspect of the invention, the bent portion is disposedabove an upper surface of the cleaning frame, and is bent at an angle ofabout 90°.

According to an aspect of the invention, the bent portion is formedthrough molding.

According to an aspect of the invention, the cleaning blade and thecleaning support member is constituted as a single body.

According to an aspect of the invention, the cleaning blade is made ofone of urethane, silicone and rubber, and is adapted to have a thicknessranging from 1 to 5 mm.

According to an aspect of the invention, the cleaning blade has athickness of about 2 mm.

According to an aspect of the invention, the cleaning support member ismade of a metallic material.

According to an aspect of the invention, a sealing member is installedbetween the cleaning unit and cleaning frame.

According to an aspect of the invention, the cleaning frame comprises afirst cleaning frame, and a second cleaning frame disposed on the firstcleaning frame.

According to an aspect of the invention, an opening is formed in anupper side surface of the cleaning frame, and the bent portion isinserted into the opening.

According to an aspect of the invention, the bent portion is formed atan upper end of the cleaning support member and the bent portion isinserted into the opening of the cleaning frame.

According to an aspect of the invention, the bent portion of thecleaning support member is inserted into the opening so as to protrudeout of the opening.

According to an aspect of the invention, the bent portion of thecleaning support member is inserted into the opening so as to hang inthe opening.

According to an aspect of the invention, the bent portion is formed atan upper end of the cleaning support member and a protruding portionextending from the bent portion may be inserted into the opening of thecleaning frame.

Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will be set forthin part in the description which follows and, in part, will be obviousfrom the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above aspects and/or other features of the present invention willbecome more apparent by describing in detail exemplary embodimentsthereof with reference to the accompanying drawing figures, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows the configuration of an electrophotographic image formingapparatus having a conventional process cartridge mounted therein;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of theprocess cartridge of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing the process cartridge of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing another conventional processcartridge;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view showing a portion of FIG. 4;

FIGS. 6A through 6C are views showing an internal configuration of aprocess cartridge according to an embodiment of the present inventionwhere FIGS. 6A and 6C show the process cartridge as a whole and FIG. 6Bshows an enlarged portion of the process cartridge;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are partial perspective views showing a processcartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention where FIG.7A shows the process cartridge in a disassembled state and FIG. 7B showsthe process cartridge in an assembled state;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are partial perspective views showing a processcartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention where FIG.8A shows the process cartridge in a disassembled state, and FIG. 8Bshows the process cartridge in an assembled state; and

FIGS. 9 to 12 are views showing partial internal configurations ofprocess cartridges according to further embodiments of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described indetail with reference to the accompanying drawing figures. In thefollowing description, like drawing reference numerals are used for thesame or similar elements even in different drawings. The matters definedin the description such as a detailed construction and elements arelimited to the ones provided to assist in a comprehensive understandingof the invention. Thus, it is apparent that aspects of the presentinvention can be carried out without those defined matters. Also,well-known functions or constructions are not described in detail sincethey would obscure the invention in unnecessary detail.

FIGS. 6A and 6B are views showing an internal configuration of a processcartridge C according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6Ashows the process cartridge C as a whole. FIG. 6B shows an enlargedportion of the process cartridge C. FIG. 6C shows a perspective viewshowing the external appearance of the process cartridge of FIG. 6A.Referring to FIGS. 6A through 6C, the process cartridge C comprises acartridge frame 210. In the frame 210, a toner chamber 218 is providedat one side of a photosensitive drum 211, and a waste toner chamber 223provided at the other side of the photosensitive drum 211. Around thetoner chamber 218, a developing roller 214, a supplying roller 215, adoctor blade 216, an agitator 217 and the like are installed andsupported by a main frame 219. Around the waste toner chamber 223, acharge roller 212, a cleaning unit 220 and the like are installed insequence and supported by a cleaning frame 224. The process cartridge Chas a configuration basically identical to that of the conventionalprocess cartridge B, and a repeated description thereof is thus omittedhere except for the differences set forth below.

The process cartridge C is characterized by the structure of thecleaning unit 220 and cleaning frame 224. The cleaning unit 220 isadapted to remove waste toner remaining on the surface of thephotosensitive drum 211. The cleaning unit 220 includes a cleaning blade221, and a cleaning support member 222 for supporting the cleaning blade221. The cleaning blade 221 is adapted to contact with the surface ofthe photosensitive drum 211 to remove the waste toner remaining thereonin response to rotation of the photosensitive drum 211. While notrequired in all aspects of the invention, it is preferable to make thecleaning blade 221 of urethane, silicone or rubber in order to preventdamage to the surface of the photosensitive drum 211 during removal ofthe waste toner. The cleaning blade 221 may have a thickness of 1 to 5mm, most preferably, about 2 mm. However, it is understood that thecleaning blade 221 can have other thicknesses and use other materials.Moreover, other materials can be used to prevent damage. Additionally,it is understood that other mechanisms can be used to prevent suchsurface damage, in which case the usable materials are not limited tothose that prevent damage.

The cleaning support member 222 is adapted to support the cleaning blade221, and further constitutes a side wall or is connected to of the wastetoner chamber 223. The cleaning support member 222 is a long memberextending in a longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum 211(perpendicular to the figure face). Thus, it is necessary to form a bentportion 222 a at the upper end of the cleaning support member 222 suchthat the cleaning support member 222 is not be bent or deformed (i.e.,the bent portion 222 a increases a structural rigidity of the support222).

The bent portion 222 a may be formed through molding, but can beotherwise formed. In the shown embodiment, it is preferable, but notrequired, to bend the bent portion 222 a at an angle of about 90°.However, it is understood that the bend can be at other anglessufficient to impart enough rigidity.

In the shown embodiment, the bent portion 222 a is formed at a site ofthe cleaning support member 222 other than a location on which the wastetoner is accumulated (i.e., the waste toner chamber 223, and to faceaway from the photosensitive drum 211. That is, the bent portion 222 ais bent in a direction opposite to the photosensitive drum 211 and isformed at a site out of the location in which the waste toner isaccumulated. It is preferable, but not required, to dispose the bentportion 222 a above a plane horizontally extended from the upper surface224 c of the cleaning frame 224.

According to an aspect of the invention, the cleaning support member 222and cleaning blade 221 are formed as a single body. However, it isunderstood that the cleaning support member 222 and cleaning blade 221may also be adhered to each other by adhesives, or adhered to each otherthrough welding using heat, ultrasonic waves or vibration according toaspects of the invention.

While not required in all aspects of the invention, the cleaning supportmember 222 is preferably made of a metallic material. The cleaningsupport member 222 is fixed by fixing members 226 to both side walls 224h of the cleaning frame 224 (refer to FIG. 7A).

According to the aspect of the invention shown in FIG. 7A, a sealingmember 225 is installed between the cleaning support member 222 andcleaning frame 224 (refer to FIG. 7A). It is preferable, but notrequired, to install the sealing member 225 between the inside surfaceof the bent portion 222 a and the cleaning frame 224 to prevent leakageof the waste toner. The sealing member 225 may be made of widely usedsponge such as polyurethane, silicone, ethylene propylene dieneterpolymer (EPDM), chloroprene rubber (CR) and foam, or rubber. Thesealing member 225 may also be replaced with an adhesive. If theadhesive is used as a replacement of the sealing member 225, the sealingsite need not a space between the cleaning support member 222 andcleaning frame 224. That is, the adhesive is adhered around the outlineof a region of the cleaning frame 224 on which the cleaning supportmember 222 is mounted. As described above, when the bent cleaning unit220 is fixed to the cleaning frame 224, a plurality of sites of thecleaning unit 220 and cleaning frame 224 are interconnected with fixingmembers 226 (such as screws) or adhesives between both ends of thecleaning frame 224 or between a lower end and middle part thereof.

The cleaning frame 224 is adapted to support the cleaning support member222 and constitutes the waste toner chamber 223 for storing waste tonerremoved by the cleaning blade 221. The cleaning frame 224 may beconfigured to include a first cleaning frame 224 a and a second cleaningframe 224 b disposed on the first cleaning frame 224 a as shown in FIGS.6B and 7B, but can be otherwise constructed in other aspects of theinvention or using a single piece so as to define the external surfaceof the waste toner chamber 226 around which the bent portion 222 a bendsthe first cleaning frame 224 a and the second cleaning frame 224 b areconnected to each other by one of thermal fusing, ultrasonic wave fusingand bonding.

In the conventional process cartridge B of FIG. 3, the space taken up bythe bent portion 122 a of the cleaning support member 122 hascomplicated the problem of space allocation for other components,particularly, the cleaning roller 113, charge roller 112 and beam inlet131 of the laser scanning unit 130. In the process cartridge C accordingto the embodiment of the present invention shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B,because the bent portion 222 a is bent in a direction opposite to thephotosensitive drum 211 (i.e., bent towards the cleaning frame 224), thecleaning roller 213 can be shifted further to the left in the figure incomparison with a conventional case shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.Consequently, the space for the incident laser beam L becomes larger,thereby substantially preventing overlap, screening and scatteredreflection of the laser beam L due to components in an incident path ofthe laser beam L. Conventional main frames of the process cartridge Bare molded products whose dimensions change particularly depending uponmolding conditions or usage conditions. Even in the case of thisdimensional change or shrinkage in low temperature environments inparticular, the process cartridge C of embodiments of the presentinvention is adapted to allocate in advance a sufficient space for theincident laser beam, thus preventing interruption of the incident pathof the laser beam due to other components.

In addition, in the process cartridge C shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, thebent portion 222 a of the cleaning support member 222 extends above thewaste toner chamber 223. While, in the conventional process cartridge B′shown in FIG. 4 the bent portion 122 a takes up a portion of the wastetoner chamber 123 causing reduction of the capacity thereof, the maximumcapacity of the waste toner chamber 223 can be obtained withouthindrance of the bent portion 222 a, as indicated by a dotted line inFIG. 6B, in the process cartridge C of the present embodiment. Althoughthe storable amount of the waste toner may increase with increasingheight of the upper surface 224 c of the waste toner chamber 223, theheight thereof is constrained by the height of the image formingapparatus and relations with other components. Accordingly, with thesame configuration as that of the conventional case shown in FIGS. 2through 4, it is possible to efficiently use the limited space of theimage forming apparatus by raising the bent portion 222 a of thecleaning unit 220 up to a height not exceeding the uppermost surface 224d of the cleaning frame 224.

While shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B as having the bend defining the bentportion 222 abeing above the waste toner chamber 223, it is understoodthat the bend can be more gradual and begin below or at the waste tonerchamber 223 according to other aspects of the invention so long as theresulting bent portion 222 a bends towards or around an exterior of thewaste toner chamber 223 without interfering with the waste toner chamber223.

FIGS. 7A and 7B are partial perspective views showing a processcartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 7Ashows the process cartridge in a disassembled state, and FIG. 7B showsthe process cartridge in an assembled state. Because the processcartridge shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B has a configuration basicallyidentical to that of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B except asoutlined below, only the part containing the waste toner chamber 223 isshown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, and a repeated description of the remainingelements is omitted here.

As in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, the cleaning unit 220includes the cleaning blade 221 and the cleaning support member 222. Thecleaning support member 222 includes the bent portion 222 a, which isformed at a site other than the location on which the waste toner isaccumulated and is adapted to bend in a direction opposite to thephotosensitive drum 211. An opening 224 f is formed in an upper sidesurface 224 e of the cleaning frame 224 interconnecting the uppersurface 224 c and uppermost surface 224 d. The opening 224 f is formedto extend long in a longitudinal direction of the photosensitive drum.With this opening 224 f, the bent portion 222 a of the cleaning supportmember 222 can be easily assembled to the cleaning frame 224. That is,after the bent portion 222 a of the cleaning support member 222 isinserted into the opening 224 f in a partial assembly process, thecleaning support member 222 is assembled through precise alignment tothe side walls 224 h of the cleaning frame 224 using the fixing members226 or an adhesive. In this case, as shown in FIG. 7B, the bent portion222 a of the cleaning support member 222 may project out of the opening224 f or hang therein.

As shown in FIG. 7A, a plurality of separating walls 224 g are installedto reinforce the strength of the cleaning frame 224 and assist orderlyaccumulation of the waste toner in the waste toner chamber 223. It ispreferable to install the sealing member 225 between the cleaningsupport member 222 and cleaning frame 224. However, it is understoodthat the walls 224 g and/or the sealing member 225 need not be used inall aspects of the invention.

For reference, the charge roller 212 and cleaning roller 213 arerotatably installed by roller holders 212 a and 212 b placed at oppositesides of the cleaning frame 224.

FIGS. 8A and 8B are partial perspective views showing a processcartridge according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8Ashows the process cartridge in a disassembled state, and FIG. 8B showsthe process cartridge in an assembled state. Because the processcartridge shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B has a configuration basicallyidentical to that of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, only thepart containing the waste toner chamber 223 is shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B,and a repeated description thereof is omitted here.

As in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the cleaning unit 220includes the cleaning blade 221 and the cleaning support member 222. Thecleaning support member 222 includes the bent portion 222 a, which isformed at a site other than the location on which the waste toner isaccumulated and is adapted to bend in a direction opposite to thephotosensitive drum 211. The process cartridge of the embodiment shownin FIGS. 8A and 8B is provided with a protruding portion 222 b extendingfrom the bent portion 222 a.

In the process cartridge of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, anopening 224 f is also formed in the upper side surface 224 e of thecleaning frame 224 interconnecting the upper surface 224 c and uppermostsurface 224 d. However, the opening 224 f is formed piecewise (i.e., asa plurality of smaller openings 224 f) and is not as long as the opening224 f of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B. In the processcartridge of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, the opening 224 fis formed to extend long in a longitudinal direction of the cleaningsupport member 222, and thus both opening-free ends of the cleaningframe 224 may become vulnerable to deformation or warpage. Inparticular, the roller holders 212 a and 212 b are fixed to both ends ofthe cleaning frame 224. If the ends of the cleaning frame 224 becomeweak due to the extent of long opening 224 f, locations of the rollerholders 212 a and 212 b may be mismatched. Furthermore, when the chargeroller 212 rotates while contacting with the photosensitive drum 211,fatigue deformation may develop at the ends of the cleaning frame 224due to continuous pressure caused by the contact between the chargeroller 212 and the photosensitive drum 211, and thus a proper charge nipmay be not formed. Accordingly, the process cartridge of the embodimentshown in FIGS. 8A and 8B can remove a weakness due to the long opening224 f shown in the embodiment of FIGS. 7A and 7B by using multipleopenings 224 f with elements of the surface 224 e extending between theopenings 224 f.

In the process cartridge of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B,after the protruding portions 222 b of the cleaning support member 222is inserted into the corresponding openings 224 f, the cleaning supportmember 222 is firmly assembled to the cleaning frame 224 with fixingmembers 226 (such as screws) or adhesives.

FIGS. 9 to 12 are views showing various partial configurations ofprocess cartridges according to further embodiments of the presentinvention. Like the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6A through 7B, theembodiment shown in FIG. 9 has the bent portion 222 a of the cleaningsupport member 222 disposed above a waste toner chamber 223 and isinserted into an opening 224 f of a cleaning frame 224. As shown in FIG.9, the bent portion 222 a is adapted to hang and/or be disposed in theopening 224 f without completely penetrating or extending through theopening 224 f. As shown, the bent portion 222 a is at an angle slightlyexceeding than the 90°. The process cartridge of FIG. 9 has significantstructural advantages over those of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 6Athrough 7B in terms of sealing or strength of the cleaning frame 224. Ifa space for installation of such bent portion 222 a is available, theembodiment of FIG. 9 may be carried out.

The embodiment of the process cartridge shown in FIG. 10 has the sameconfiguration as that of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B, exceptthat the bent portion 222 a is formed to have an angle somewhat 90° andpasses through the opening 224 f.

The embodiment of the process cartridge shown in FIG. 11 has the sameconfiguration as the embodiment shown of FIG. 10, except that the bentportion 222 a is adapted to hang in the openings 224 f shown in theembodiment in FIG. 8A without completely penetrating the openings 224 f.

The embodiment of the process cartridge shown in FIG. 12 has the sameconfiguration as that of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, exceptthat the cleaning frame 224 is configured to include the second cleaningframe 224 b disposed on the first cleaning frame 224 a. As compared toFIGS. 6A and 6B in which the second cleaning frame 224 b extends underthe uppermost surface 224 d of the cleaning frame 224, the secondcleaning frame 224 b rests on an extended portion 224 g of the uppermostsurface 224 d of the cleaning frame 224.

As described above, a process cartridge having a bent portion of thecleaning unit that is formed to bend towards the waste toner chamberrather than the photosensitive drum and be disposed at a site other thanthe waste toner chamber conforms to the spirit of the present invention.For example, a new process cartridge according to aspects the presentinvention may be obtained by combining together the embodiments shown inFIGS. 6A to 12. While various embodiments have been described, anopening-free process cartridge having a bent portion whose configurationis the same as that of the embodiment of FIG. 6A may be the mostpreferred one if an installation space is available.

As apparent from the above description, aspects of the present inventionprovides an innovative process cartridge, wherein a sufficient path foran incident laser beam can be obtained and space constraints due toinstallation of neighboring components such as a charge roller andcleaning roller can be significantly alleviated, permitting a designmargin for an image forming apparatus.

In addition to the above structural advantage, quality deterioration interms of the strength and sealing of a cleaning frame does not occur inthe process cartridge. Further, the process cartridge permits a largercapacity of a waste toner chamber, lengthening the service life of theprocess cartridge.

While the invention has been shown and described with reference tocertain embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled inthe art that various changes in form and details may be made thereinwithout departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as definedby the appended claims.

1. A process cartridge comprising: a cleaning unit for removing wastetoner remaining on a surface of a photosensitive drum, the cleaning unitcomprising a first portion which removes the waste toner and a bentportion connected to the first portion; and a cleaning frame having awaste toner chamber for storing the waste toner removed by the cleaningunit, wherein the bent portion bends in a direction away from thephotosensitive drum and to extend around an exterior of the waste tonerchamber so as to not be in the waste toner chamber.
 2. The processcartridge of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the cleaning unitcomprises a cleaning blade for contacting with the surface of thephotosensitive drum to remove the waste toner remaining thereon inresponse to a rotation of the photosensitive drum, and a cleaningsupport member extends towards the bent portion for supporting thecleaning blade.
 3. The process cartridge of claim 2, wherein the bentportion is formed at an upper end of the cleaning support member.
 4. Theprocess cartridge of claim 1, wherein the bent portion is disposed abovean upper exterior surface of the waste toner chamber.
 5. The processcartridge of claim 4, wherein the bent portion is disposed above anupper surface of the cleaning frame.
 6. The process cartridge of claim3, wherein the bent portion is formed through molding.
 7. The processcartridge of claim 3, wherein the bent portion is bent at an angle ofabout 90°.
 8. The process cartridge of claim 2, wherein the cleaningblade and the cleaning support member are constituted as a single body.9. The process cartridge of claim 2, wherein the cleaning blade is madeof one of urethane, silicone and rubber.
 10. The process cartridge ofclaim 2, wherein the cleaning blade has a thickness ranging from 1 to 5mm.
 11. The process cartridge of claim 10, wherein the cleaning bladehas a thickness of about 2 mm.
 12. The process cartridge of claim 2,wherein the cleaning support member is made of a metallic material. 13.The process cartridge of claim 1, further comprising a sealing memberbetween the cleaning unit and cleaning frame.
 14. The process cartridgeof claim 1, wherein the cleaning frame comprises a first cleaning frame,and a second cleaning frame disposed on the first cleaning frame. 15.The process cartridge of claim 14, wherein the first cleaning frame andthe second cleaning frame are connected to each other by one of thermalfusing, ultrasonic wave fusing and bonding.
 16. A process cartridgecomprising: a cleaning unit having a first portion for removing wastetoner remaining on a surface of a photosensitive drum and a bentportion; and a cleaning frame having an upper side surface with anopening formed into which the bent portion is inserted, and a wastetoner chamber for storing the waste toner removed by the cleaning unit,wherein the bent portion bends in away from the photosensitive drum andaround an exterior surface of the waste toner chamber to be disposed ata site other than that in which the waste toner is accumulated.
 17. Theprocess cartridge of claim 16, wherein the first portion of the cleaningunit comprises a cleaning blade for contacting with the surface of thephotosensitive drum to remove the waste toner remaining thereon inresponse to a rotation of the photosensitive drum, and a cleaningsupport member extending towards the bent portion for supporting thecleaning blade.
 18. The process cartridge of claim 17, wherein the bentportion is formed at an upper end of the cleaning support member. 19.The process cartridge of claim 18, wherein the bent portion extendsthrough the opening so as to protrude out of the opening.
 20. Theprocess cartridge of claim 18, wherein the bent portion is inserted intothe opening so as to hang in the opening.
 21. The process cartridge ofclaim 16, wherein the cleaning frame comprises a first cleaning frame,and a second cleaning frame disposed on the first cleaning frame. 22.The process cartridge of claim 21, wherein the first cleaning frame andthe second cleaning frame are connected to each other by one of thermalfusing, ultrasonic wave fusing and bonding.
 23. The process cartridge ofclaim 16, wherein the bent portion is disposed above an upper exteriorsurface of the waste toner chamber.
 24. The process cartridge of claim23, wherein the bent portion is disposed above an upper surface of thecleaning frame, the upper side surface being above the upper surface.25. The process cartridge of claim 16, further comprising a sealingmember is installed between the cleaning unit and cleaning frame. 26.The process cartridge of claim 17, wherein the bent portion is at anupper end of the cleaning support member and includes a protrudingportion extending from the bent portion into the opening of the cleaningframe.
 27. A process cartridge comprising: a photosensitive drum onwhich a latent image is developed into a desired visible image withtoner; a cleaning frame having a waste toner chamber for storing wastetoner removed from the photosensitive drum; and a cleaning unit having afirst portion for removing the waste toner from the photosensitive drumand a curved portion to support the first portion and which curvesaround an exterior surface of the waste tone chamber.
 28. The processcartridge of claim 27, wherein the cleaning frame comprises a firstcleaning frame and a second cleaning frame disposed on the firstcleaning frame.
 29. The process cartridge of claim 28, wherein the firstcleaning frame and the second cleaning frame are connected to each otherby one of thermal fusing, ultrasonic wave fusing and bonding.
 30. Theprocess cartridge of claim 27, wherein the cleaning unit includes aconnecting portion extending from the curved portion to the firstportion and which is attached to a first wall of the waste tonerchamber.
 31. The process cartridge of claim 30, wherein: the waste tonerchamber comprises a second wall connected to the first wall, and thecurved portion includes an extended portion extending around but notthrough the first and second walls such that the second wall is betweenthe waste toner chamber and the extended portion and the first wall isbetween the waste toner chamber and the connecting portion.
 32. Theprocess cartridge of claim 31, further comprising a housing framedefining an interior including the photosensitive drum and the cleaningunit, wherein: the housing frame has an opening, and the extendedportion extends into the opening.
 33. The process cartridge of claim 32,wherein the extended portion extends through the opening.
 34. Theprocess cartridge of claim 31, wherein the cleaning frame has a thirdsurface extending from the second surface and which includes an opening,and the extended portion extends into the opening.
 35. The processcartridge of claim 34, wherein the extended portion extends through theopening.
 36. The process cartridge of claim 27, wherein: wherein thecleaning unit includes a connecting portion extending from the firstportion to the curved portion in a first direction away from thephotosensitive drum, and the curved portion includes an extended portionextending in a second direction other than the first direction.
 37. Theprocess cartridge of claim 36, further comprising a housing framedefining an interior including the photosensitive drum and the cleaningunit, wherein: the housing frame has an opening, and the extendedportion extends into the opening in the housing frame.
 38. The processcartridge of claim 37, wherein: the opening comprises a plurality ofopenings in the housing frame, and the extended portion comprises aplurality of extended portions which extend into the correspondingopenings.
 39. The process cartridge of claim 36, wherein the firstdirection is substantially perpendicular to the second direction. 40.The process cartridge of claim 36, further comprising a housing frameother than the cleaning frame and defining an interior including thephotosensitive drum and the cleaning unit, wherein: the cleaning frameincludes an opening, and the extended portion extends into the opening.41. The process cartridge of claim 40, wherein: the opening comprises aplurality of openings in the cleaning frame, and the extended portioncomprises a plurality of extended portions which extend into thecorresponding openings.
 42. An image forming apparatus which forms animage on a medium using toner supplied by the process cartridge of claim27.